NFL veterans Christian Ballard (Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle) and Gregory Westbrooks (New Orleans Saints linebacker) have filed a lawsuit against the National Football League Players Association, accusing the union of fraud, negligence, and civil conspiracy.
Targeting a retirement board which includes three union representatives, the complaint alleged that the board, since at least the 1990s, has paid disability payments to retired players with traumatic brain injury (TBI). From reviewing such claims, the union knew about the dangers associated with traumatic brain injuries, according to the complaint. The filing stated that “[d]espite their knowledge and acceptance of the link between concussive and sub-concussive hits and cognitive decline, defendants continued to actively and purposefully conceal and misrepresent the severe neurological risks of repetitive TBI,”
The union released a statement that said it “has made the health and safety of its members a priority and the advancements in professional football on concussion education, prevention and treatment are a result of our efforts.”
Seeking class action certification to represent all former players, the suit does not include the NFL as a defendant.